What does the new Ram 1500, have to do with the Jeep brand.

By Robert S. Miller

For the past several years, rumors have been swirling around the innerwebs about a modern day Grand Wagoneer coming to market. In 2017, the vehicle was finally confirmed by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne at his annual press conference at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. However, Marchionne dropped a bombshell saying that the Grand Wagoneer will be built alongside a Wagoneer model at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant. He also mentioned that both vehicles will be built as body-on-frame full-size SUVs.

Since then, many questions have been popping up on the internet since there isn’t any true black and white information about the two vehicles. Inside sources have given 5thGenRams.com the scoop on the future Jeep vehicles.

2019 Ram 1500 Limited Crew Cab FCA Photo

First off, we know that the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer are codenamed the WS platform. The (WS) platform will be based on the all-new 2019 Ram 1500 (DT) platform. Both vehicles will share a vast number of components, powertrains as well as the same basic architecture. As for production, the WS launch will require the current Ram 1500 Quad Cab and Crew Cab (DS) models to end production at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant in Warren, Michigan. The new 2019 Ram 1500 (DT) model will only feature Quad Cab and Crew Cab models for the 2019 model as it launches at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (SHAP) in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Right up the road from Warren Truck.

The current (DS) Ram 1500 models will run a limited production run for the 2019 model year as Ram “Classic” models at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant. This will allow production of the new (DT) 1500 models to ramp up production, not allowing gaps in dealer inventory while the Ram brand switches models. After SHAP is brought up to speed, Warren Truck will end production of the (DS) model. The Warren Truck plant will go idle for short period of time. At that point the Warren Truck plant will get a much needed $1.1 Billion update to allow for the production of the new 2020 Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer (WS) models; as well as the next generation Ram HD pickups.

Stay tuned for tomorrow, as we dig deep inside of the new 2020 Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer.